Syrian singer Khater Dawa was studying vocal music at the renowned Cairo Opera and traditional lute at the Arabic Oud House, a prominent Egyptian music school, when war broke out in his homeland. As a student, he formed his first group, released his first album, and was immediately invited to major festivals throughout the Arab world.

Dawa's music is an expression of his feelings and thoughts, drawing on his experiences as a refugee. Now studying at the Popakademie Baden-Württemberg, a conservatory in Mannheim, Germany, he composes music based on traditional forms and influenced by jazz and blues in an attempt to build bridges between cultures.

I was commissioned to design the cover art for his first album, "Nahna Taloa El Shams," which translates to "We are the sunrise." My aim was to capture Dawa's musical style and convey the sense of hope and renewal that his music embodies.

The design incorporates photographs of Dawa taken during his performances, combined with the name of the album in Arabic and English. The Arabic title is written in a calligraphic style that reflects the traditional roots of his music, while the English text is presented in a modern font to represent his contemporary approach.